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The crowd was hushed as the crowd waited for the Louis Bull singers and drummers to begin.
The drum cries began and at once the audience rose to honor the grand entry procession.
Two young eagle staff bearers danced to the beat of the drum through the centre of the two rows followed by a procession including Hobbema's Indian princess, elders, chiefs,
honored guests and faculty, and staff of Maskwachees Cultural College.
At the end of the procession came the honorees - 92 proud Maskwachee graduates. Each was given eagle feathers and graduation certificates during the colorful ceremonies at the
Peter Bull Memorial Centre Sept. 30. It was the first-ever graduation exercise since the college's inception in 1976.
Walter Lightning, dean of cultural studies, says students who have attended Maskwachees Cultural College could have attended any other post-secondary institution in the province.
But he said they came to learn about Indian culture while at the same time achieving a high level of academic excellence.
One of those students was graduate Holly Johnson.
The young graduate says she knew how to speak the Cree language fluently before she entered the program and thought she knew her Native culture. But after two years of study,
she said she still had to much to learn.. "I learned a lot!" exclaimed Johnson.
Diplomas handed out were in general studies and in Cree language instruction.
Certificates were given to those who completed the university/college entrance preparation program, band management, microcomputer accounting, and academic upgrading
programs.
An honourable mention was handed out to student Delphine Firingstoney.
Wetaskiwin Member of Parliament Willie Littlechild was also on stage. presenting certificates of recognition from the government of Canada.
Littlechild also gave the keynote address, recalling his earlier days as a student and how he motivated himself for his studies.
"When I was in grade eight, in order to get a job you needed grade nine. So everyone, including the chief, was inspired to get grade nine. When we got there, you needed grade 12"
"It seems that no matter what we die, it wasn't quite good enough. So we went to grade twelve and got that."
"When I got my bachelor's degree I thought well I might want to teach university, so I needed my masters degree."
"Of all those graduations though, I think back, I only attended one of them - it was grade nine. I recall a gift that I got them. It was a suitcase. So I got the message early, et out of
the house."
Chief Eddie Littlechild, representing Ermineskin Tribal Council, presented a painting to Littlechild for recognition of his many outstanding achievements.
After the diploma and certificate presentations were completed, Holly Johnson spoke on behalf of her fellow graduating students.
"Throughout the past year at Maskwachees Cultural College each of the graduating students have learned in more ways than one, both academically and personally.
"For many of us it has built our confidence. It has helped us realize our capabilities," she said.
"For others it has been a review of all the skills and techniques that are required to become a successful student. We the graduating students are thankful to the staff at
Maskwachees Cultural College," said Johnson.
The country concepts award went to Tracy Larocque for graduating with the highest grades in the academic upgrading level 100 program.
The Edward Arcand Memorial Award was given to Margaret Burnstick who passed the Cree language instruction program.
Esso Resources Native Scholarships were given to Johnson from the Samson Band and Darcy Brown from Louis Bull Band.
Three elders -- Theresa C. Wildcat, Gordon Raine and Louis Sunchild were honoured by respected elders Mabel Bull and Abe Saddleback who received the same recognition in
1988. Drummers sang the honour song as two eagle staff bearers and princess carried in the gifts to the stage.
A dinner, reception and dance followd the graduation ceremonies at the Panee Memorial Agriplex.
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